The Houston Texans claimed the cornerback off waivers on Thursday, one day after the Miami Dolphins parted ways with their 2006 first-round pick.

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Allen was released by the Dolphins when Miami signed 36-year-old veteran cornerback Al Harris, who was waived by the Packers earlier this week.

Allen, the 16th overall pick in 2006, started 19 games for the Dolphins and struggled to shake the label of draft bust. He won a starting job in training camp this season and is tied for ninth in the league with three interceptions, but he was badly beaten frequently and was replaced in the lineup last week by Sean Smith.

Allen was limited to special teams in Sundayâs loss at Baltimore.

The University of Tennessee product became the second recent first-round pick the Dolphins cut ties with this year. In April, wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. -- the team's No. 1 choice in 2007 -- was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round draft pick.

To make room for Allen, the Texans placed cornerback Domique Barber on injured reserve. Barber had arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday after he was injured during a special teams drill at Wednesdayâs practice.

âItâs a tough guy to lose,â Texans coach Gary Kubiaktold the team's official site. âHeâs been our most productive guy thatâs been on the field for us the most on special teams, and probably our most valuable player from that standpoint. So thatâs a big, big blow. Weâre going to have to have somebody step up this weekend, and weâre going to have to decide who thatâs going to be.â